Composer competition Ricordilab enters its fourth edition
After the great success of the first three editions, we are pleased to renew Ricordilab for its fourth iteration, running from 2025 to 2028.
What we offer: Ricordilab was launched by Ricordi Berlin in 2016 and offers aspiring composers the opportunity to work with one of the world's leading publishers of contemporary music over a period of three years: We publish selected works, take care of international promotion and support the laureates with our expertise in the music business.
Who we are looking for: Composers from different backgrounds with promising and unique compositional voices to extend the exceptional catalogue of Ricordi Berlin. Operas or other stage works are welcome.
How we select: When selecting the laureates, we are supported by an advisory board of internationally renowned experts of the music industry.
The success of Ricordilab is owed also to a network of ‘associated partners’ who agree to present works by selected prizewinners in their programmes. Our partners for 2025-2028 include:
Basel Sinfonietta,
Bayerische Staatsoper,
Brussels Philharmonic,
Camerata Salzburg,
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin,
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana,
Orchestre National d'Auvergne and
Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn.
Find out more about our current prizewinners
Hannah Kendall Alex Paxton Diana Syrse
Advisory Board
Tim Anderson Conductor
Christian Fausch Managing Director Ensemble Modern
Andri Hardmeier
Dramaturg, Artistic Co-Director Collegium Novum Zürich
Vimbayi Kaziboni
Conductor
Bernhard Lang
Composer
Angélica Negrón
Composer
Elena Schwarz Conductor
Find out more about the advisory board members
here.
Please refrain from contacting members of the advisory board.
Terms and Conditions
- Applicants must be born after August 31st, 1985
- Applicants must submit 3 works (if applying with stage works: 4 works)
- Each work must have been performed or commissioned by at least one professional ensemble/orchestra
- The works cannot be published yet
- A recording of each work is required
- Scores and parts need to be engraved with Finale, Sibelius or Dorico
- If applying with stage works without singing voices, at least one of the submitted works must be written for voice(s) a cappella or for voice(s) and ensemble/orchestra
- The works must be for the required instrumentation categories as stated in the “Online application” section below
Online application
Applicants should submit the following mandatory materials:
- Completed online form
- Complete list of works (with details of year, title, subtitle, duration, instrumentation, date/place and ensemble of the world premiere, program note, publisher if relevant)
- Scores (pdf):
- One work for ensemble (6-12 musicians) or choir a cappella
- One work for large ensemble (12-18 musicians)
- One symphonic work (more than 18 musicians)
- If applying with stage works (ad libitum):
- In addition to the scores mentioned above: One work for stage
- If applying with stage works without singing voices, at least one of the submitted works must be written for voice(s) a cappella or for voice(s) and ensemble/orchestra
- One of the submitted works must have been composed after 1 January 2023
- Recordings of the submitted works (mp3)
- Bio or CV (in English, maximum 3,500 characters including spaces)
- List of upcoming performances and commissions
- Links (website, social media)
Benefits provided to successful applicants
- Concert opportunities and close collaboration with associated partners
- Publication of selected works
- Administration (collecting societies, royalties, licensing, accounting)
- Consultation and negotiation for commission contracts and licensing
- Production and distribution of published works
- International promotion (personal meetings with our clients, print publication, press activities, website, newsletter, social media)
- Consultation: Team members of Ricordi Berlin will actively consult the laureates regarding the development of their careers